Contacts Episode #168: Maria Zamora

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In this episode, we highlight the insights and experiences shared by Maria Zamora, former Head Women's soccer coach at Soledad High School. In our interview with Maria, we delved into her coaching journey, the importance of female empowerment in soccer, and her current role as the vice president of Salinas Soccer Femenil. This newsletter will present 10 in-depth takeaways and teachable moments from the interview, providing valuable lessons for coaches, players, and soccer enthusiasts alike.

In this interview, Maria Zamora sheds light on her coaching philosophy, the transformative power of practice and progress, and her ongoing commitment to elevating women's soccer. She discusses the changing landscape of the sport, her aspirations for expanding the program, and the significance of fostering a sense of community among both players and supporters.

10 Key Insights from Maria Zamora: An Exclusive Interview

• Shifting Focus from Perfection to Progress: Maria emphasizes that coaching is a lifelong learning journey, where progress is more important than attaining perfection. Embracing the idea that practice makes progress allows for continuous growth and development.

• Setting Clear Goals: Maria emphasizes the importance of starting with the end product in mind. Setting clear goals, such as becoming champions, helps guide the coaching process and creates a sense of purpose.

• The Future is Female: As a strong advocate for women's soccer, Maria highlights the importance of giving prominence to the female aspect of the sport. By shining a light on female players and teams, she aims to promote equality and empowerment within the soccer community.

• Expanding the Program: Maria envisions a future where the program can grow and invite teams and supporters from across regions, like the Bay Area, to collaborate and support each other. By fostering connections and partnerships, the program can thrive and create new opportunities.

• Lifelong Learning: Coaching is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process of learning and improvement. Maria's experience demonstrates the importance of continuously seeking knowledge, staying updated with the latest trends, and adapting coaching methods accordingly.

• Creating Community: Building a strong sense of community within the soccer program is essential. Maria emphasizes the need for players, coaches, and supporters to come together, support each other, and create a positive and inclusive environment for everyone involved.

• Embracing Diversity: Maria believes in embracing diversity within the team. By having players from various backgrounds and skill sets, the team can learn from each other, foster mutual respect, and become stronger collectively.

• Soccer as Empowerment: Maria views soccer as a platform for empowerment, especially for women. By providing opportunities and resources for female players, she aims to create a space where they can showcase their skills, build confidence, and inspire others.

• Focus on Female Soccer: Maria highlights the importance of dedicating attention and resources specifically to female soccer. By giving the female game the recognition it deserves, it can flourish and inspire future generations of female players.

• Lifelong Impact: Coaching goes beyond the field and has the potential to make a lasting impact on players' lives. Maria's coaching journey demonstrates the transformative power of a dedicated and passionate coach, who can shape not only players' soccer skills but also their character, self-belief, and life trajectory.

Maria Zamora's insights and experiences as a women's soccer coach provide valuable lessons that extend beyond the field. By focusing on progress, setting clear goals, and embracing diversity, coaches can create a transformative environment where players can thrive. Furthermore, by highlighting the significance of women's soccer and empowering female players, we can contribute to a more inclusive and equal future in the sport.

Thank you for reading this newsletter, and we hope it inspires you to reflect on your own coaching journey and the impact you can make. For more information on women's soccer in the Salinas Valley and to connect with Coach Zamora, please reach out to www.SalinasSoccerFemenil.org or follow on IG @salinassoccerfeminil

Listen to her episode here

Watch his episode here: You Tube

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.